Helmet air circulation devices and methods of use

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for devices and methods that actively circulate air into a helmet and around a wearer's face and head. Advantageously, the devices described herein can be added to off-the-shelf protective helmets and can leverage existing passive ventilation features to actively circulate fresh air without compromising protection against mechanical forces. The devices can be added to helmets on a temporary, permanent, or semi-permanent basis and can be used alongside additional protective accessories such visors, lenses, and/or face guards. The devices and methods described herein are be suitable to virtually all protective helmets (e.g. athletic or safety helmets). The devices described herein are portable, non-restrictive, and fully contained in the interior of the helmet. Helmets with integral forced-air circulation are also provided.

1 . A device for a protective helmet, comprising:
 a power assembly and a fan assembly;   wherein the power assembly comprises a rechargeable power source providing three or more hours of continuous use and control circuitry for the power source; and   wherein the device circulates air, and wherein the air is circulated within an interior of the helmet, directed to a wearer's skin, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fan assembly has an air intake to draw fresh air into the helmet shell from existing apertures in the helmet to circulate the air. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is contained entirely inside the interior of the helmet, and wherein the device is installed between an outer helmet shell and interior padding. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fan assembly is connected to tubing and the fan assembly directs air flow from a first end of the tubing to exit through a second end of the tubing and wherein the second end of the tubing is connected to an adjustable nozzle such that direction of air flow is directable by the wearer. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the fan assembly comprises a filter at the air intake. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein each of the power assembly, the fan assembly, and the tubing are configured to be individually placed and removably affixed to the interior of the helmet. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fan assembly is operable at variable powers via a fan assembly switch. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is integrated into a suspension system for an industrial helmet. 
     
     
         12 . A protective helmet comprising:
 an outer shell;   an inner lining; and   a device comprising a power assembly and a fan assembly, wherein the power assembly comprises a rechargeable power source providing three or more hours of continuous use and control circuitry for the power source;   wherein the device is fastened between the outer shell of the helmet and the inner lining of the helmet; and   wherein the air is circulated within the interior of the helmet, directed to the wearer's skin, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         13 . The helmet of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 tubing connected to the fan assembly, wherein the tubing directs air flow, wherein the fan assembly is connected to a first end of the tubing and the fan assembly directs air flow from a first end of the tubing to exit through a second end of the tubing; and   wherein the fan assembly has an air intake to draw fresh air into the outer shell from existing apertures in the helmet to circulate air.   
     
     
         14 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The helmet of  claim 12 , wherein the device is contained entirely inside the interior of the helmet, and wherein the device is installed between the outer shell and interior padding. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The helmet of  claim 17 , wherein the second end of the tubing is connected to an adjustable nozzle such that direction of air flow is directable by the wearer. 
     
     
         19 . The helmet of  claim 13 , wherein the tubing is perforated to provide air flow inside the helmet. 
     
     
         20 . The helmet of  claim 12 , wherein the fan assembly comprises a filter at the air intake. 
     
     
         21 . The helmet of  claim 12 , wherein each of the power assembly, the fan assembly, and the tubing are configured to be individually placed and removably affixed to the interior of the helmet. 
     
     
         22 . The helmet of  claim 12 , wherein the fan assembly is operable at variable powers via a fan assembly switch. 
     
     
         23 . The helmet of  claim 12 , wherein the helmet is a helmet selected from the group consisting of American football helmet, hockey helmet, lacrosse helmet, cycling helmet, motorsports helmet, snowsports helmet, equestrian sports helmet, bull riding helmet, baseball helmet, softball helmet, extreme sports helmet, industrial protective helmet, military helmet, and law enforcement helmet. 
     
     
         24 . A protective helmet comprising:
 a protective shell; and   a device comprising a power assembly and a fan assembly, where the device is integral to an interior of the protective shell and wherein an exterior of the protective shell comprises a cavity for the fan assembly, and where the device provides forced air circulation to the wearer, wherein the power assembly comprises a battery, a charger board having a charging port, control circuitry, a voltage step-up board, and a power control.   
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The helmet according to  claim 24 , wherein an interior of the protective shell comprises channels that direct the forced air to the wearer. 
     
     
         27 . The helmet according to  claim 24 , an interior of the protective shell comprises recesses for the power assembly. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled)